 It's a little late coming, but I've had the amazing misfortune of being
swamped by midterms. Oh well...
A couple weeks ago, we had a man come to campus who is referred to by
the student population as "Bible Jim." Bible Jim comes to campus
every year. This year, Jim and some of his followers spoke at the students
in front of the historical EMU building. I was on my way back from spanish
203 and heard him and his group of guys speaking, so I took out my Polaroid
and shot. I'm not especially good in portraiture or candid photos of events.
I am not a journalistic-type photographer. I'm just not skillful
enough in that area. But, like I said, I shot up a pack of Polaroid film
on Jim and his hell-pers. |
 If you can't see everything on Jim's sign, it says:
'"Warning to all"... Queers, Lesbians, Racists,
Sex Addicts, Abortionists, Politicians, False Believers, Drunkards, Astrologers,
I.R.S. Agents, Evolutionists, Pharisees, Rebellious Women, Liars, Thieves,
Dopers, and Mormons... God's Judgement is Coming!!'
I really enjoyed the rally, because it proved just how polar opposite
Evangelicals and University students are. Mainstream Christianity is caught
somewhere in the middle. Bible Jim is a Putz, pure and simple. He spouts
hate and idocy.
But of the people at the rally, 99.9% disagreeing with Jim, some of them
were also pretty scary. What I mean is that they were less human and let
emotions influence their actions. Jim acts on his emotions and his faith
(however misguided that may be), but those in the crowd were being run over
by their emotions. Where does self control fit into the picture? The Bible-thumbers
were pretty damn insulting, but, did their conduct deserve physical threats,
spitting-upon, vandalism, and worse? |
The people at the rally who are what society holds up to be noble and
courageous were some of the worst examples human nature. A militant feminist
spit on Jim's face and shouted curse-words at him. Hippies were extremely
scornful. I take it to be a sign that we really don't want freedom of speech.
We only want freedom of popular speech. Speech that we happen to agree with.
Though I was troubled by the rally, I was encouraged when a gay student
and Jim talked peacefully, without incedent. These two come from completely
different ends of the spectrum and were able to speak without resorting
to belittling or name-calling.
An extreme conservative Christian evangelical and a gay man conversing
without incedent give me hope. I'd like to think that's what toleration
is about. You may not agree with the message, and you may feel strongly
about your position, but emotions shouldn't govern your life. You will be
a sad, sick individual.
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